What is the required compensation (Diyya) for damage to a tooth that extends into the gum (snukh)?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
The full Diyya for a tooth is obligatory for the part that appears outwardly from the gum, because that portion is what is designated as the tooth. The part within the gum is termed 'snukh'. If the tooth itself is broken, and subsequently, another person extracts the remaining root (snukh), the Diyya applies to the broken tooth, and a discretionary compensation (Hukuma) applies to the extracted root. This is analogous to one person cutting off fingers and another cutting off the hand. If the root (snukh) is extracted along with the tooth, no more than the full Diyya of the tooth is required, similar to cutting the hand from the elbow.
Supporting text
If a person breaks a part of the tooth, the compensation is proportional to the Diyya of the tooth based on the extent of the damage. If half is lost, half of the discretionary amount (Arsh) is due; if one-third is lost, one-third is due.